Study in Europe: What Do American Students Think About European Universities? | Student Reviews & University Rankings EDUopinions

Study in Europe: What Do American Students Think About European Universities?

01/06/2023

Almost 200,000 American students choose to study in Europe every year. They’re drawn by a lot of things: the lower cost of study programs, the history, and the chance to discover a variety of cultures and languages.

But what do American students really think about their experience studying in Europe? We delved into verified student reviews on the EDUopinions website to find out what American students are really saying. By knowing what your fellow compatriots think about their study programmes and European universities, our findings will help you to plan your own study abroad adventure.

From their favourite parts of the study abroad experience to their opinion of university facilities and culture, here’s our guide to what Americans think about studying in Europe.

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What do American Students Think About Studying in Europe?

What Americans Think of Studying in Europe

We’ve broken down our findings into two categories. Firstly, where American students typically choose to study in Europe. Secondly, what do Americans think about studying in Europe and which aspects of their study abroad experience do they talk most positively about?

All the student reviews linked below are real, verified reviews from American students at European universities. You’ll hear about their experiences with lectures and classes, their wider student life, and the places they chose to live.

Where do Americans Study in Europe?

American Students in Europe

The United Kingdom is officially the one of most popular countries for Americans studying abroad in Europe, and this is reflected in our student reviews.

The universities that gather the most reviews from American students are by and large in the UK, as you can see in the list below.

  1. Arts University Bournemouth
  2. Coventry University
  3. Hult International Business School
  4. Imperial College London
  5. The University of Manchester
  6. The University of Glasgow
  7. University of Sheffield

However, we can also see from our student reviews that institutions in France, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain are all popular destinations for American international students. In fact, Spain is the second-most popular destination for US students, bringing over 2,000 students every year.

What do American students consider most positive about their experience in Europe?

University of Glasgow

According to verified student reviews on EDUopinions, American students frequently highlight three key areas of their programmes that are particularly positive: the learning environment, campus facilities, internationality, and professors.

These latter two aspects are actually the two highest-ranked areas of European universities overall for American students. Internationality gained a 4.5/5 rating from students while Professors scored a 4.4/5 rating.

We’ve chosen to highlight a few reviews from American students in Europe that highlight each of these four important areas.

Internationality

Marketing
Emily
Emily
Strathclyde MSc Marketing is a Must

The University of Strathclyde is a welcoming university, with an extremely diverse set of students. This diversity allows for Strathclyde to be an extremely open and accepting place that welcomes everyone. The programmes are intensive, engaging and inclusive. Many students come from all around the world, exposing the students to new cultures and traditions. After working as an International Student Ambassador for the University of Dundee it is so amazing to see the diversity and cultures in and outside the classroom!

Programme: Marketing
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Glasgow
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

Professors

Public Health
avatar
Anonymous student
Imperial College Review

Imperial College London is a wonderful place to attend school. I am currently in their master’s program for Public Health and the faculty in the department has been very helpful. I have been welcomed by the faculty almost immediately since I’ve been here and they have generously walked me through how to navigate master’s study and have given me advice about living in London as an international. The course is rigorous but my favourite part about Imperial is that they provide tutors for students that students can use individually AND professors place us in small student groups with a separate senior tutor. Both help provides guidance on assignments and give helpful advice on how to succeed in classes.

Programme: Public Health
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: London
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

Learning Environment

Film
avatar
Anonymous student
Friendly Environment and Nature Parks

The University of Essex provides a warm and open academic environment. The scenery of Wivenhoe Park and the surrounding marshes create an idyllic space to study, write and educate yourself amongst peers.

Programme: Film
Degree: PhD
Graduation: 2022
Campus: Colchester
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

Campus Facilities and Experience

Veterinary Medicine
Hannah
Hannah
Kindness in staff

In my opinion, my University is unlike any other around. I came here from the United States as an international student and was greeted with nothing but kindness. When picking a veterinary school, this University stood out to me because it felt like home away from home, which no other school made me feel. The campus is beautiful and the learning experience is unique, they adapt to new science and are at the forefront of medicine.

Programme: Veterinary Medicine
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2027
Campus: Glasgow
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Facilities
Accommodation

American Student Reviews of European Universities

Studying at University of Amsterdam

Here, we’ve highlighted five reviews from five different European countries: the UK, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, and France.

Hult International Business School

International Business
avatar
Anonymous student
Diverse Group of People

I am studying the MIB and I like my university. I love that it is a very diverse group of people. However, people tend to hang out with those that look like them and where they are from. Also, a lot of rich people go to school here, which isn’t an issue unless they don’t want to be here and do work. As the majority of assignments are group projects. This might just be a program issue as I have not heard the same from other programs on campus.

Programme: International Business
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2022
Campus: London
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Accommodation

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Archaeology
avatar
Anonymous student
Classes are slow

The classes go, for me, at an agonizing pace. Each class meets once a week for three hours, and material goes by incredibly slowly. There are very few assignments too. It’s great to be in Athens with a ton of free time, but hard-working students looking for a challenge might find themselves bored here.

Programme: Archaeology
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2026
Campus: Athens
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

HTL International School

Digital Marketing
Vanessa
Vanessa
Professional teachers

I´m quite surprised by seeing the review that say “teacher only read slides” or “teachers make us read slides”. In my case it was completely different.
Yes, there were some slides, but only wih basic definitions (and how do you expect them to appear in your brain without slides?)
Teachers were sharing their experience, explaining the things very well, giving us some tasks and exercises.
Yes, it was three months but I got enough info to start my internship.
Can not say annything now about the language trimester, has only started it, but first two days were fine

Programme: Digital Marketing
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Barcelona
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

University of Amsterdam

Communication Sciences
avatar
Anonymous student
College in Amsterdam

Very international college, where you are made feel very welcome. The city overall is small so it is easy to commute.
Facilities on roeterisland are immaculate,very clean and modern. There is many study spaces to use and classroom facilities for group projects

Programme: Communication Sciences
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Amsterdam
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

IESEG School of Management

Business
avatar
Anonymous student
Master of International Business

The program uses many case studies in its classes, which are very helpful for learning real-life experiences. The professors are diverse in background and the program course composition is well-rounded. It will give you an overall understanding of the business world.

Programme: Business
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2022
Campus: Lille
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
Facilities
Accommodation

Conclusion

It’s clear that international students from America have an overall positive opinion of their experience studying in Europe. From being warmly welcomed on campuses to the learning experience itself and the quality of teaching, Americans tend to choose well when it comes to their universities and study programmes in Europe.

Want to learn more about what students think about Europe? Check out our blog on the Most International Countries and Cities in Europe.

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Written by
Abigail
Abigail is a freelance writer specialising in higher education. She has lived in London and the Netherlands, and has a Masters degree in American Studies.

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